Bethel Church of Christ and Outlook Christian Church

I cannot believe that so much has happened in the 2 weeks since the Bethel Church of Christ and Outlook Christian Church left out campus.  This was supposed to be the first post after they left and then the earthquake hit and everything has been centered around that.

These two groups came to NWHCM and out to Beauchamp to help with the Sewing Room.  We were beginning to wonder if they were going to get to come at all.  January is the rainy season and 2 years ago the rain stopped them from coming then.  We thought that it was going to be a repeat but then the sun came out and the river went down.  It was a long trip to Beauchamp in a very jam-tight Deuce-and-a-half on very muddy roads.  Again, travel is never easy in Haiti.  They arrived with weary bodies but with big smiles on their faces and a desire to get right to work — and work they did.

They were only on our campus for 2-1/2 days but they accomplished so much in that time.  They made shutters for the windows in the sewing room and we now have a cutting table and a storage shelve.  This group also did a VBS, helped with the feeding program, plumbing repair work, and bought goats to give away.

The sewing room will soon be a reality mostly because of these two groups. (We still need some funds to finish the building completely.)  The Bethel church lead the way in donating the first treadle machines to arrive in Beauchamp.  God is really expanding this program.  I cannot wait to see our Haitian ladies sitting at the machines and sewing for their families.  Thank you to Bethel and Outlook.  We hope to see you again!  Take a look below at some of their work!

Sewing Hope - Original 5 ladies

receiving their new creole bible story books

 

My women are excited about this.  We are praying for this to happen.  After I told them that we would have our “own” sewing room but needed more funds we decided to make it a matter of prayer.  We gathered on the spot where the room is going to be built and had a prayer circle.  Invoking the will and blessing of God — what a way to start this off.

Prayer Circle for Sewing Room Funds

Change is in the air  –  sewing machines, a sewing room and 16 ladies.  Now how to make change happen.    After we get the sewing machines set up the ladies are going to be divided into 3 different groups.  There will be one group that will sew clothing and diapers, one group will sew quilts and diapers, and one group will continue to make the receiving blankets.  I will teach them how to make simple children’s clothes, simple quilts and diapers.  Everyone will come together once a week for bible study and prayer time, then there will be appointed times for the two groups using the machines.  Each lady will be assigned a machine thus making them responsible for the upkeep and care of that machine.  While they are in “training” and on “work time” they will sew diapers, clothes and quilts for the mission programs such as all of the orphanages and diapers for the Miriam Center children.  We will continue to make blankets for the birthing center and baby orphanage.  The ladies will then be allowed to come to the sewing room during designated times to work on projects for themselves.

I see children being able to go to school because their mothers now know how to sew and can make their school uniforms.  I see new and pretty dresses for the girls for church and nice new shorts for the boys.  This program can continue to expand as God sees fit.  He has blessed this way beyond my wildest dreams and is even stretching me daily with this program.  God has given me a vision to help these ladies and I cannot believe that He will not bring us through it.  

I want to say THANK YOU to all of you who have given to this program from the beginning, middle and anywhere else in between.  I could not have done this without you.  The ladies say thank you for providing employment and helping them become confident in themselves, have a better knowledge of God’s word, a deeper understanding of the power of prayer  and proud of their beautiful blankets.  

The sign says it all!

I have been so thrilled to see all of the packets provided for this program thus far.  At the present time I have 5 ladies in this program.  We come together each week to pray, study God’s word and then they are provided with their packet to take home and complete.  They have done a wonderful job so far.  Many beautiful babies will have a new and beautiful blanket to go home in because of this program.  Madame Ilryck, Madame Sadilis, Madame T-Poppa, Madame Elisne, and Clemise  are very thankful for this opportunity.

10 packets per week x 52 weeks = 520 packets for 2009

$5.00 per packet x 520 packets = $2,600.00 for 2009

Each packet will need to contain the following:  2 yards of flannel;  1 spool of matching thread;   1 pack of needles;   $5.00 placed in an envelope

I know this is a big request but I feel that God has laid this upon my heart to do and so I ask for your help with this program.  I would like to say THANK YOU to all of you who have donated thus far.  You have started a program that I am excited to continue.  I am asking ladies and/or churches to help.  I would like the above items to be donated.  You can place all of these items in a gallon zip-lock baggy and then forward them to me or mail them to the mission office warehouse in Kentucky.

This will employ a Haitian woman for one week.  We are having them make baby blankets from the flannel.  This will help us to provide blankets for the infant nursery and the birthing center and also provide a source of income for these women.  (There are 5 babies a day born at the birthing center.)  I know this does not seem like much but they are so happy to have this opportunity.  By providing employment we can help Haitian women provide food and housing for their families and help them be proud of a product that they have made with their hands.

With Much Love,  Teresa

Please email me if you have any questions:  mtinhaiti@mac.com